Exterior Lighting: Take the Drama Outside
Light Up Your Outdoor Rooms With Can Lights, Lanterns, Pendants and Candelabras
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator of Decor Demon, lifestyle editorial with an edge. http://www.decordemon.com
I'm a home makeover TV show producer, interior designer and the creator... More »
I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The oceanside city lends itself to outdoor entertaining pretty much year-round. One of the most essential elements to outdoor night time entertaining — albeit it in Florida or Fort Knox — is proper lighting.
From pendants to spotlights, from track lights to candelabras, here are the most effective forms of outdoor lighting. Stick with these babies and not only will you be able to dine outdoors with guests, you'll be able to see them, too.
From pendants to spotlights, from track lights to candelabras, here are the most effective forms of outdoor lighting. Stick with these babies and not only will you be able to dine outdoors with guests, you'll be able to see them, too.
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| First up, can lights. Yeah, they cast a beautiful glow over high-traffic exterior areas, but they're also an excellent source of security. The directional-style illumination can take the danger from a dark wall, then make it safe while also adding beautiful, cascading light. |
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| While I often strongly discourage ceiling fans in spaces, I can't argue with using them in outdoor living rooms, especially being from Florida. The trick to using them without sacrificing aesthetics is to stay away from using ones with integrated lights. Instead, supplement with can lights in other areas of the ceiling. |
| Lanterns — especially permanently fixed electric ones — are a great way to define areas. I often find these work best atop retaining walls, pillars or fence posts. Traditional bronze lanterns from Kichler are a great place to start. |
Pendants: the best way to bring the look and feel of the indoors outside. While heavy wrought-iron fixtures like these help ground a space, they also require some upkeep in regards to frame and glass cleaning. My trick for maintaining outdoor fixtures is to (a) use the brush and extender attachments on a shop vac to rid them of dust, and (b) add an extender pole to a Squeegee to reach and clean the glass. Trust me, you'll find it worthwhile the next time you entertain friends without a dead bug falling from the light fixture above. Ha!
No electricity? No problem! Enter the world of the candelabra. Nothing says intimacy like a meal shared by candlelight; however, wax dripping from tapered candles above down onto your salad can totally kill the romance. Ensure that doesn't happen by investing in candle wax drip catchers such as these bobeches.
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| Track spotlights: a super affordable way to add directional lighting to task-oriented spaces. You don't always need to stick with outdoor track lights if your space is covered and far from an open outdoor space. I've used KRAMMARE from IKEA several times with great results — for only $19.99. |
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| While chandeliers grouped together can be odd inside of the house, they work wonders in a vaulted ceiling outdoor space. |
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by SB Architects
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| Modern architecture: the most amazing place to play with outdoor lighting. Many overscale outdoor fixtures can actually add to the architectural personality of the home from both close up and far away. For covered spaces, you can never go wrong with a vinyl Nelson saucer pendant. |
Comments
decordemon Um, NO COMMENTS? REALLY? Well, what about if I threw in a pair of super pricy, super amazing Trina Turk outdoor floor cushions for whomever commented on this and attached photos of their own creative outdoor lighting? YOU CAN DO IT!
2 years ago · Like
PamDesigns 3D I love the big candelabra suspended over the table on wires with no ceiling above . I've not seen that idea before and I think it's fabulous!
2 years ago · Like
storklady I agree that exterior lighting is just as important as interior lighting. It can really make a yard or outdoor space sing. I think you chose wonderful examples. I only wish I had the money to implement a few at my house. *sniff. sniff.*
2 years ago · Like
planejane Another way to use the heavy wrought iron style chandeliers and sconces outside is to remove the glass. The dirty glass and bug collections disappear; the great look remains.
2 years ago · Like
ontheverge Ok, so maybe not the best pictures...but we hung a candelabra in our pergola. You just had to be careful because the candles dripped if it got too windy! 
2 years ago · Like
skissmania the candelier adds a lot of bang for the buck (they don't cost as much as their electrical cousins) and you don't have to have electricity. The bobeches you suggested are just the ticket bc not only do they catch the wax, they can dress up the look too. We sell them at the shop I work at.
2 years ago · Like
jennifaux! Did ontheverge ever get his super pricey, Trina Turk outdoor floor cushions? Just wondering!
2 years ago · Like
jennifaux! Oh---and I saved some of your pictures to my idea book and made nice comments on them...does that count? BTW, I really do love your design ideas!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Nov. 9, 2012.
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